Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Science
- Minor
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In This Section
The Environmental Science Program
The environmental science program at Saint Vincent College at its core concerns itself with solving environmental problems. Students will develop a strong scientific background combined with knowledge of environmental topics, while courses in the humanities will put these topics into the context of our modern society. As a result, students with a degree in environmental science from Saint Vincent College will be ideally prepared for a career in the field.
Undergraduate Programs
What Can I Do With a Degree in Environmental Science?
Environmental science is multidisciplinary in its approach to solving environmental problems. Our philosophy is that environmental problems are best solved through careful scientific investigations within the context of social, political and ethical studies.
Required coursework in the natural sciences provides students with a strong scientific background. Advanced courses in environmental topics such as wildlife biology, environmental chemistry or environmental disturbances provide depth of scientific investigations. Courses in the social sciences and humanities provide context for working on environmental problems in modern society.
As a result, our students are prepared to pursue a variety of careers in the environmental field. By choosing a minor or electives, students can design a program that ideally fits their career goals. The major can prepare students for careers in the environmental field such as environmental monitoring or testing, environmental communication, watershed management or environmental education. Students can also pursue graduate programs in environmental science, environmental law or education.
Curriculum Requirements
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Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science
Environmental Science Major Requirements (66-68 credits):
ES 150-152 Earth Systems Science and Lab - 4 credits
MA 109-110 Calculus I and II - 8 credits
CH 101-104 General Chemistry I and II and Labs - 8 credits
CH 216, 218 Quantitative Analysis and Lab - 4 credits
BL 150-153 General Biology I and II and Labs - 8 credits
BL 232, 233 Ecology and Lab - 4 credits
PH 111, 113 General Physics I and Lab - 4 credits
ES 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems - 3 credits
ES 301 Capstone Experience: Senior Research - 2 credits
ES 300 Junior Seminar - 1 credit
ES 302 Senior Seminar - 1 credit
Environmental Science Internship - 1 credit
Humanities: Choose at least two:
EL 111 Green Writing: Literature and the Environment - 3 credits
HI 226 Society and the Environment: the American Experience - 3 credits
PL 217 Environmental Ethics - 3 credits
Social Science:
PS 390 Environmental Law and Policy - 3 credits
SO 161 Environmental Sociology - 3 credits
Advanced Environmental Courses 8 - 10 credits
Environmental Biology: Choose 1 course with lab if available (3-4 credits)
BL 228, 229 Wildlife Biology and Lab - 4 credits
BL 230 Ornithology - 3 credits
BL 238-239 Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Lab - 4 credits
BL 240-241 Conservation Biology and Lab - 4 credits
Physical Environmental Science: Choose 1 course with lab (4-5 credits)
ES 230 Energy and the Environment - 4 credits
ES 240 Geophysics and Lab - 4 credits
CH 276, 277 Advanced Environmental Chemistry and Methods of Environmental Analysis - 5 credits
Electives: 18-20 credits -
Requirements for a Minor in Environmental Science
Requirements for Minor in Environmental Science****(15-17 credits):
ES 150-152 Earth Systems Science and Lab - 4 credits
BL 232-233 Ecology and Lab*** - 4 credits
CH 216-218 Quantitative Analysis and Lab*** - 4 credits
Choose one course with lab: (May not count toward major)
CH 276 Advanced Environmental Chemistry*** - 3 credits
CH 277 Methods of Environmental Analysis (lab)*** - 2 credits
BL 228-229 Wildlife Biology and Lab*** - 4 credits
BL 230 Ornithology*** - 3 credits
BL 238-239 Aquatic Ecology and Toxicologyand Lab*** - 4 credits
BL 240-241 Conservation Biology and Lab*** - 4 credits
ES 230 Energy and the Environment*** - 4 credits
***General Chemistry I and II and/or General Biology I and II are prerequisites for these courses.
****Environmental Science and Environmental Chemistry majors may not minor in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies. -
Program Prerequisites
Program Prerequisites
The environmental science program at Saint Vincent College builds a strong foundation for students looking to begin a career in the natural sciences. To enter into the program, students should have three years of academic high school-level math and science courses.
Program Highlights
Results
Environmental Science Results
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- The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and Monastery Run Improvement Wetlands provide students with outdoor laboratories and places on campus to relax in a natural setting.
- Environmental Science students have had internships with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Cornell University, Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Pittsburgh Zoo and other organizations.
- Our graduates have gone on to graduate school in diverse areas such as marine biology, outdoor recreation and environmental management.
- In 2013, the environmental science program received a 3 year grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to digitize coal mine maps. Student interns will work during the summer using GIS technology to digitize and geo-reference over 350 maps.
- In 2012, the environmental science program received a grant from Dominion to enhance our teaching of energy-related topics such as solar, biofuels, Marcellus shale and coal.
- The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and Monastery Run Improvement Wetlands provide students with outdoor laboratories and places on campus to relax in a natural setting.
Internships and Careers in Environmental Science
Students in the environmental science program gain theoretical and practical experience in the classroom and laboratories, but the learning process extends beyond the classroom. Internships offer the opportunity to gain real-world experience before graduation, allowing our students to be better prepared for the competitive field of environmental science. In recent years, our students have interned at organizations such as:
- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Cornell University
- The Loyalhanna Watershed Association
- The Pittsburgh Zoo
- and others.
As a result of these internships, our students are prepared for a career in environmental science. In fact, the knowledge gained in the classroom combined with the experience gained during an internship are an ideal preparation for a career in environmental monitoring or testing, environmental communications, watershed management, environmental education and other related industries.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Scientific Skills. Demonstrate a proficiency in laboratory skills to collect data and technological competency from multiple disciplines.
- Scientific Principles. Apply scientific principles to environmental problems.
- Communication. Express scientific information clearly in both written work and oral communication.
- Data Analysis. Analyze and display scientific data and utilize it as evidence for a conclusion.
- Information Literacy. Find, evaluate and utilize sources of information appropriately and ethically.
- Diverse Perspectives. Consider and evaluate environmental problems from multiple perspectives in the context of our modern society to synthesize and develop a holistic understanding of the key issues linked to these problems.